Ed ChlorPed News

SUNDAY, Aug. 27, 2017 – People who suffer from allergies may start sneezing and wheezing in the fall, but there are things they can do to ease their seasonal misery. "If it feels as though your allergy symptoms flare up earlier and earlier every year, you're probably not wrong," said Dr. Stephen Tilles, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). "Climate change may actually be causing an earlier and longer fall allergy season," he added in an ACAAI news release. "In addition, windy days can mean heightened allergy symptoms, because wind can carry the pollen from ragweed, grasses and trees up to 100 miles from its source." Tilles provided the following tips to help people with seasonal allergies avoid flare-ups of their symptoms: Plan ahead. So-called "fall" allergens actually start to appear in mid-August. If you rely on allergy medication, start ... Read more

-- Motion sickness is a common byproduct of summer travel. But with some preparation, it can be prevented. "Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals from the motion-sensing parts of the body: the inner ears, the eyes, and nerves in the extremities," the American Academy of Pediatrics says on its healthychildren.org website. The primary symptoms are dizziness and an upset stomach that may lead to vomiting. Here's what you can do to help prevent motion sickness, the academy says: Do not travel on an empty stomach. Eat a small snack to relieve hunger. Avoid dairy or anything heavy. Instead, opt for crackers or something light. Distract yourself by talking or listening to music. Focus on the horizon outside the car. Avoid books, iPads and other mobile devices while the car is moving. Medications such as Dramamine may ease dizziness and nausea, but they may have ... Read more

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 2, 2017 – Scientists report they've pinpointed which immune system cells trigger allergies. The discovery may someday lead to a blood test that improves treatment, they suggest. These cells "represent a common enemy to every allergic individual that we can now easily track," said study author Erik Wambre. He's an immunology researcher at Seattle's Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason. Allergic reactions stem from an inappropriate immune response to usually benign substances such as mold, pollen or peanuts. In the United States, almost 50 million Americans have nasal allergies, and as many as 200 die from serious food allergies a year. According to Wambre, more "biomarkers" – signs of illness that can show up in tests – are needed to improve allergy detection and assess treatment. At the moment, doctors rely on skin pricks to test your reaction to ... Read more

MONDAY, July 24, 2017 – Many people misunderstand what food allergies are, and even doctors can be confused about how to best diagnose them, suggests a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics. It's common for people to think they have a food allergy, but the reality may be different, said Dr. Scott Sicherer, the lead author of the AAP report. "If you ask someone on the street if they have a food allergy, there's a good chance they'll say 'yes,' " said Sicherer, who heads pediatric allergy and immunology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. But a true food allergy involves an immune system reaction against a particular food, he explained. Just because you think a food upsets you, that doesn't mean it's an allergy, Sicherer said. And it's critical to distinguish an allergy from other "adverse reactions" to food, he stressed. "Some people may have an intolerance, such as ... Read more

-- Sneezing and sniffling triggered by allergies can prevent a good night's sleep. The National Sleep Foundation suggests how to rid your bedroom of allergens: If you're allergic to pets, keep them out of the bedroom. Bathe pets weekly. Cover your mattress and pillows in dust mite covers, and wash sheets regularly in hot water. Opt for blankets made of synthetic materials, not wool. Limit mold by keeping windows open in the bathroom. Fix leaks and clean up water promptly. If you do have a moldy area, hire a professional to clean it. Skip candles, scented laundry detergent, air fresheners and other heavy fragrances in your bedroom. Clean furnace, air conditioner and vacuum filters regularly. Read more

THURSDAY, June 29, 2017 – For most of us, an insect bite means an annoying itch and some minor discomfort. But more and more people are having serious – and even potentially deadly – reactions to bites and stings, researchers report. Up to 7 percent of the adult U.S. population now appears to be allergic to insect stings. Reactions can vary from a large, long-lasting swelling just at the site of the bite to a body-wide response that can even interfere with breathing. And once you have an allergic reaction, you stand a good chance of having another one, even 10 or 20 years later. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), the most serious allergic reactions come from yellow jackets, honeybees, paper wasps, hornets and fire ants. Experts suggest that if you've ever had an allergic reaction to a sting, schedule a visit with a board-certified allergist. ... Read more

WEDNESDAY, June 14, 2017 – When seasonal allergies strike, what remedy is right for you? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has some answers. An allergy is your body's reaction to a substance it considers an invader. The body reacts to that invader by releasing chemicals called histamines, which cause the sneezing, wheezing and itchy, watery eyes that make life miserable, the FDA explains. Antihistamines are available in many forms, including tablets and liquids. Many oral antihistamines are available over-the-counter (OTC) and some are available by prescription and in generic form, according to the FDA. When choosing an OTC antihistamine, always follow label instructions, said Dr. Jenny Kelty, a pediatric pulmonologist at the FDA. Some can cause drowsiness and interfere with your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery. Others do not have this side effect, she noted in an FDA ... Read more

THURSDAY, June 8, 2017 – Climate change may increase people's exposure to an outdoor fungus that can damage airway cells, leading to a rise in asthma and allergy symptoms, a new study contends. The widespread fungus, called Alternaria alternata, produces spores in the dry, warm weather of late summer and early fall, said the researchers from the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Previous research has shown that the fungus produces up to three times more spores when atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are high. Rising CO2 emissions are thought to contribute to climate change. In some people, exposure to the spores can trigger allergy symptoms and asthma, the researchers explained. For this study, the research team exposed cells from the linings of human airways to Alternaria and found it produced more cell damage. They warned that climate change might ... Read more

FRIDAY, June 2, 2017 – The changeable weather that many areas of the United States experiences may lead to a pollen "superburst" – and for allergy sufferers that may mean misery, a sinus specialist cautions. "It promises to be a nasty spring," Dr. Jordan Josephson, from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said in a hospital news release. Usually, pollens come in waves. First, trees, then weeds, then grasses. But this year, they may all hit around the same time, he said. About 60 million Americans suffer from pollen allergies. Symptoms can include nasal stuffiness and discharge, headaches, cough, sore throat, swollen glands, hoarseness, bad breath, mouth breathing, chapped lips, decreased sense of smell or taste, facial and dental pain, general fatigue, ear pressure, hearing loss and dizziness. It's important to deal with allergy symptoms immediately, Josephson said. "Allergies left ... Read more

MONDAY, April 17, 2017 – Choosing an over-the-counter allergy medicine for a child sounds easy enough. But a new survey finds that the wide range of allergy medications, along with dosing and labeling differences, can make it a challenge to select the right medicine for kids. "Parents often face an overwhelming selection of allergy medicine without clear guidelines on how to choose the right one for their child," said pediatrician Dr. Gary Freed. Freed is co-director of the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health at the University of Michigan. "If parents are unsure how to navigate allergy medication choices, they should always check with their child's health-care provider," Freed said in a university news release. Freed's group surveyed more than 1,000 parents of children aged 6 to 12 across the United States. More than half of the parents had given allergy ... Read more

SATURDAY, April 15, 2017 – If you've spent any time outdoors recently, you may have found yourself swatting away a fly or mosquito – and that means it's time to bone up on bug avoidance. "Although most bug bites are harmless, some can spread dangerous diseases like Zika virus, dengue, Lyme disease and malaria," said Dr. Lindsay Strowd, an assistant professor of dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. "Particularly if you're visiting areas with known insect-borne diseases, it's important to take steps to reduce your risk," Strowd said in an American Academy of Dermatology news release. Here are Strowd's tips to avoid unwanted bites. Your best defense against insect bites is to cover yourself – with bug spray and clothes. Apply insect repellent with 20 to 30 percent DEET. If you're also wearing sunscreen, apply your sunscreen first, let it dry, and ... Read more

SATURDAY, April 1, 2017 – Spring can rain misery on allergy sufferers, but there are a number of ways to ease your agony, a physician expert says. "Allergies affect millions in the U.S., and while there is no way to avoid irritants like pollen entirely, there are simple solutions to mitigate allergic reactions," said Dr. Joseph Cooke. Cooke is chair of the department of medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Queens. In the springtime, trees and plants release pollen into the air to fertilize other plants. This pollen can enter your nasal passages and trigger an immune response, he explained. "As winter evolves into spring, sometimes it just makes sense to stay indoors," Cooke said in a hospital news release. "Allergy sufferers should pay attention to the pollen index, use vacuums designed to better pick up common irritants, and close their windows when the pollen count is high," ... Read more

THURSDAY, March 30, 2017 – Spring routinely spells misery for allergy sufferers, but a recent survey reveals that most patients don't try to manage their symptoms until it's too late. The survey asked more than 1,000 adults with seasonal allergies and more than 500 parents of children with seasonal allergies how they prepared for the high pollen counts that come with warmer weather. The survey found that three out of four only thought about managing symptoms once they were experiencing those symptoms or when allergy season had already started. Also, more than half did not know what prescriptions were available to ease their allergy symptoms, while roughly a third did not know their allergy triggers or how to ease symptoms. And less than half of adults surveyed visited a doctor for advice or got a prescription for an allergy treatment before allergy season began. The survey was ... Read more

MONDAY, March 27, 2017 – Having an allergy to one type of nut may not necessarily doom you to a lifelong avoidance of all nuts, a new study suggests. In fact, more than half of the people who were allergic to one type of tree nut did not have a reaction to other tree nuts, the researchers reported. Tree nuts include almonds, Brazil nuts, pistachios, cashews, walnuts and hazelnuts. Interestingly, the scientists also discovered that almost none of those with peanut allergies were allergic to tree nuts. Peanuts are actually legumes, and not nuts. Even if you have a positive skin or blood prick test to a tree nut, you aren't automatically allergic, especially if you've never actually eaten that tree nut, the researchers explained. Instead, allergy sufferers should take what is called an oral food challenge, the researchers said. In such a challenge, they eat increasingly larger amounts of ... Read more

SUNDAY, March 19, 2017 – If you have seasonal allergies, the arrival of spring on Monday is probably less about warmth and flowers and more about itchy eyes and congestion. But there are ways to ease allergy misery and keep asthma symptoms in check, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). "People think they're doing everything they can to battle spring allergies," said AAAAI President Dr. Stephen Tilles, a Washington-based allergist. "But many still find themselves under siege from pollen and other allergens that appear once the weather starts to warm up. What they don't realize is that by following a few simple rules they can make life a lot more pleasant, and their allergies more bearable," he said in a news release from the group Here, he offers some tips: Do some spring cleaning. Dust and cobwebs can accumulate over the winter. Mold can also ... Read more